Yagelski

Yagelski notes that we should be teaching in context of "a design for a future society," always keeping in mind the "kind of society we hope to create." None of us would argue against critical literacy; we know the value of teaching our students to use writing/reading as a means to think for one's self about the issues present in one's society. But I'm not sure I've heard anything that speaks to the actual issue of "how do we really get students to become persons of action?"

For my reflection, I'd like to take a look at the books we've talked about this term in book clubs, lit circles and large group discussion and address the question: "Using this book, how would we tailor activities/discussions in our class to spurn our students on toward social justice? How will we use the text to build Yagelski's 'just and sustainable communities' ?"

In one of my book clubs, we talked about the voyeuristic qualities of some of these novels. It's easy to simply look at the plot lines and characters with a "48 Hours" sense of horror/sadness, then go on our way without making any changes in our life or in the life of others.

Henry David Thoreau said, "A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting." How can we create action in our ELA classrooms?

Comments

[LiLi123]

I love this posting, Tamara. I always have the same question in my mind.